Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear has asked Mitch McConnell to directly tell Kentucky residents whether he can still serve in the U.S. Senate or resign, raising the Mitch Mcconnell Kentucky Senate Vacancy issue after a 43-day absence. Beshear said McConnell has not appeared publicly since his hospitalization in Washington on June 14.
Beshear wrote that McConnell should provide proof of his capacity to serve. He said the senator had cast zero votes and engaged in no official activities during that period, while McConnell’s office released two photos and written statements saying he fell.
Beshear letter to McConnell
In his letter, Beshear wrote: “As Governor of the state you serve, I am calling on you to directly and verbally address the people of Kentucky and provide proof of your capacity to serve, or resign.” He also wrote: “It has now been 43 days since news of your hospitalization.”
Beshear added: “During that time you have cast zero votes, engaged in no official activities, and aside from two photos and corresponding statements, have made no effort to communicate with your Kentucky constituents or the nation.” Speaking to reporters Tuesday, he said, “I hope everything’s OK, that he’s competent to serve, but asking someone to prove that to their constituents isn’t a big or a heavy lift.”
John Thune and Kentucky
Beshear said that if McConnell did not respond, he would call on Senate Majority Leader John Thune to investigate McConnell’s condition and begin the process if warranted of replacing him in the Senate. He also said, “It’s not being invasive. You’re one of two U.S. senators that are supposed to represent Kentucky in Washington. Just talk to the people.”
Thune said, “I’ve seen that letter, but in any event, I think that’s an issue really that’s between Sen. McConnell and the people of Kentucky.” He added, “I mean, if the governor wants to, I’m not sure what his prerogatives are in that case. But that’s where the issue should be resolved.”
Vacancy process in Kentucky
The seat question has a different path in Kentucky than in most states. In most states, governors appoint new senators when one of the seats in their states is vacant, but Kentucky state law requires a special election instead of a governor’s appointment.
McConnell has already announced that he intends to retire at the end of his term, which expires at the end of 2026. Rand Paul called Beshear’s letter “a campaign ploy by Beshear to look relevant” and said, “There’s a lot of news over how Sen. McConnell is doing, and so to appear relevant, he’s putting out inflammatory statements and this and that.”
The open question Beshear is pressing is whether McConnell can speak, reason, and carry out his duties as a senator. Until McConnell addresses that directly, the seat remains a matter of health, duty, and Kentucky’s special-election rule, not a routine political exchange.
